Pasto Italian Cafe & Restaurant

For every romantic occasion, one needs an Italian cuisine.

It's not my first time in Pasto. Used to eat here way back when I was in high school and college with friends. It may seem to be one of the many Italian restaurants we are all familiar with; but let me share a moment I would not forget ever.

Last December 16, 2012, my baby and I celebrated our 13th monthsary in Eastwood. Pumunta kami dun not on a typical night. We decided to go there to have lunch and watch a movie. When we got there, we first bought tickets. I actually forgot what movie is it that we watched. Basta we watched. After that, we went looking for a place to eat. Since my baby is very particular when it comes to food, like what I said on my previous posts, I thought of letting her eat to something new (for her) and yet something she'll enjoy at the same time. As I said, I am kinda familiar with Pasto so we decided to feast there. At first she was a little hesitant 'coz she doesn't know what kind of food they serve there but I assured her she'll love it.

We went inside; and at that time there was only us and another couple eating. So kahit papaano we had that romantic feel for our monthsary lunch date 'coz it was quiet and the ambiance is nice too. Siyempre, hindi mawawala sa order ni JanJan ang chicken. So first to be served as an appetizer is... I'm so sorry but I actually forgot what it's called. 

Chicken Strips with Tartar Sauce (own description)

Second to be served:

Carbonara

Linguine with Smoked Bacon and Mushrooms in a Garlic Cream Sauce

I thought this would be somewhat like a typical carbonara for her since she's a lover of cream-based pastas. But no! Unang subo pa lang niya sa pasta sabi na niya "Ito na yung pinaka masarap na Carbonara na natikman ko" I was happy when I heard that! At least she was satisfied about the restaurant I introduced to her.  She even got to a point that she asked me "Gusto mo pa ba yung pasta? Pwedeng akin na lang?" And she even wanted to come back days after that lunch. And even uttered to me "Pag hindi tayo punta dun, luto ka na lang ng ganun lasa" Pressure is on me! Haha! She's just so adorable. 

Last but not the least on our order for that day, pizza. For every Italian cuisine experience, it can't be left out. What we always do when we order pizza is that we divide it into 2 different flavors. Magkaiba kasi kami ng gusto when it comes to pizza toppings. 

Formaggi (Mine). Four Cheese - Feta, Ricotta, Mozarella and Parmesan

Di Carne (Hers). "All-Meat" Pizza - Italian Sausage, Smoked Ham and Pepperoni

It was one of those pizzas that has a very soft and thin crust. Just the way I want it. 

Overall, it was a romantic and satisfying lunch date. No regrets that we chose Pasto. We will definitely come back to explore more on what's on their menu. And I heard their crostini's are good. Will definitely get that next time. The price of the food is reasonable for its quality. 

Pasto Branches: 

Eastwood City Walk 1 (where we went)

The Fort

Greenhills Shopping Center

El Pueblo

Paseo Center

TOSH is POSH.

Sino hindi may gusto ng spaghetti? 

The Old Spaghetti House or as what we normally call as TOSH is an Italian-inspired restaurant that can be found in almost every corner of the city here in the Metro. Sa isip ng iba, when they hear something Italian, it comes with a high-budgeted meal and doesn't fit the taste of the majority of Filipino people. Diyan kayo nagkakamali. TOSH is known for it's Italian menu but with a twist of course. They didn't concentrate only on pure Italian cuisine but instead tried mixing others like Nachos which is well known as a Mexican food. They also have rice menus, pizzas, and sweet desserts as well. I consider it good for casual dining.

Last 2012, before Christmas came, my girlfriend and I decided to do Christmas shopping just somewhere near our place. We agreed on SM North Edsa 'coz Trinoma has been our usual pampalipas-na-mall; maiba lang. Sa totoo lang, was not a fan of this mall not until Forever 21 was established there. Anyway, as I was saying... We came there by lunch time so we decided to eat first before we start our long to-do-list. Ikot lang kami ng ikot and we can't decide where to eat. Sa sobrang excited bumili ng bagong shoes ni Jan-Jan, she went inside Shoe Salon and I waited for her outside starving. I distracted myself by walking a few blocks away from where she is and the 1st restaurant that caught my sight was TOSH. Wala na ko choice 'coz I was too hungry already! We went inside, took a seat and started looking at the menu. I am such a fan of trying something new. And what really caught my attention on their menu was the Pasta Negra which is I think is made of Octopus Ink. YUUUM! But didn't have that. Haha. The Mushroom Jack Chicken (180 pesos) which my partner had. Sorry wasn't able to take a picture of it. But it really is good! Try!!! And my all time favorite in every Italian menu,

Classic Lasagna for 175 pesos only!

This! Is what I got for myself. This was actually one of the few lasagna's I would recommend for everyone to eat. If chocolates are heaven, this one too is! And I promise you that with my life on the line. Haha! I guess I just need to eat here again and try more of what's on their menu. I'm sure every single thing has it's own way of making people purely happy.

If you are on a tight budget but wants something fancy-tasting food. Try The Old Spaghetti House. This won't fail you.

We spent less than 500 pesos for our bill and yet we were satisfied with what we had.

Try visiting their site: http://www.theoldspaghettihouse.com/ to see more on what's on their menu. Currently, it's under maintenance but you can check on other sites for their list. 

I

1st Sweet and Wicked Anniversary

Sino ang hindi excited sa 1st Anniversary? I've been  in a relationship for almost 16 months now and I can say it has truly been a blessing to me. It is something different, exciting, extra-ordinary, giving me butterflies in my stomach everyday, definitely inlove at kung anu-ano pang matatamis na salita that can explain how happy I am.

Last November 16, 2012, my baby and I celebrated  our 1st Anniversary. I wouldn't be putting up pictures of us 'coz I promised that this bog will be exclusive for my food shots only. Itago na lang natin siya sa pangalang Jan-Jan (And she's a SHE. hahaha). Monthsary salubong has always been a monthly ritual for us. E paano pa pag anniversary na :D of course we didn't miss that out. I prepared a simple surprise for her before anything else. Ever since, she's been a fan of sweets. So I decided to give her 3 different kinds of cakes from 3 different bakeshops that I think would excite her taste buds.

1st stop: Cheesecake Etc. in Tomas Morato. Unfortunately, it's closed now. Nakalimutan ko na what I actually bought here. Basta I'm certain that it's a cheesecake. Haha!

2nd stop: Fleur De Lys in Tomas Morato. I won't ever forget what I bought here 'coz this was her top choice from all the cakes I gave her. 

It's their Almond Loca (Almond Meringue Wafers w/ French Buttercream and Chocolate Glaze)

3rd stop: Mom and Tina's in Sgt. Esguerra Ave. And last but definitely not the least, I decided to give her the ever famous in every known bakeshop - Banoffee Pie! This was my top choice. Yuuuum! :p

So there goes my very simple adventure just to make our anniversary salubong not usual from our other monthsaries. :)

We headed to Newport Mall to watch a 2:00 am screening of Breaking Dawn Part 2. Overall, it was a good start I must say. But of course sabi nga nila "tapusin mo ang sinimulan mo". So to wrap up our anniversary "day-te". We decided to have a very simple dinner just near our work due to our very busy schedule. I thought of eating in Wicked Kitchen just right infront of ABS-CBN's compound. First time ko so I asked people what's a good food to munch on there. Most of them told me about their Crispy Bagoong Rice and so I tried. 

For our main course, I had the Crispy Bagoong Rice as I said earlier. In the picture mine was at the upper right corner. The one that's at the back. Deep-fried crunchy liempo bits, sauteed in spicy bagoong, topped with green mango strips. A must try!!! Very Filipino inspired dish. :D For her, she had Beefsteak and Onion Rings. As described in their menu: Pinoy “bistik” served with rice and topped with drunken beer-battered onion rings. I wasn't able to taste it but for her it was not bad at all para sa isang maarte sa pagkain. About the price, it was worth it. There was a burst of goodness in every spoon I take in me. Walang sawa factor. The ambiance is also great. At that time, it was only us and another couple eating there. Siyempre hindi ibig sabihin hindi masarap. That was around 11pm already so not a perfect time to eat dinner. The place was not that spacious but enough to serve its loyal customers. At siyempre, a meal wouldn't be complete without a dessert. And of course for the 4th time that day, we had sweets. We decided to order one of their 7 deadly sins inspired menu. 

Gluttony: Freshly baked giant chocolate chip cookie – crusty outside but moist and chewy inside. Served with a huge scoop of mantecado ice cream. Hell yeah! This was Wicked Kitchen's bestseller! I couldn't explain the happiness in me while I was eating this. 

Wicked Kitchen Locations:

ABS-CBN Branch
143 Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City
Telephone #: +(632)927-1992

Katipunan Branch
2nd Floor Petron Square, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Telephone #: +(632) 426-4525

Hit them up or trying visiting them. It will be worthwhile and it's a guarantee.

It has been a very memorable 1st anniversary for me. Hindi man siya high-end celebration, spending time with the person you love the most was worth all the time. 

It really was a day filled with sweets and wickedness.

Thank you for reading!